Scrapers

Shotgun

Shotgun

Joined
Feb 3, 2006
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I want to get some good scrapers made for both my EDC and my pack flints and was wondering what kind everyone has and how they were made. Most people seem to have hack saw blades but how are they made? Do you just tape over the blade so you can also have that...just in case. Or, is there a way to score and break them? Does anyone have any unique scrapers?

Obviously a knife (or back of a knife) can be used but I'm looking at a scraper+flint combo as sort of a self contained, 1 piece item.
 
I was thinking about squaring off the blade edge of a smallish cheap/broken folding knife/slipjoint, but havent tried it yet. Might be a way to put a junker back into service. That wouldn't really address your thought about a 'self contained, 1 piece item' though, unless you could attach them together somehow.
 
I use cheap carbon steel hack saw blades. They can be found in packs if 2-5 for $1-$2. I cut them to about 2.25" segments. Next I drill a hole in one end (if it is a non-end piece) large enough for a piece of 550 cord (1/8th" or so). Next I rub each piece on a sanding block and remove the paint from the edges on both sides. Nothing crazy or precise there. Finally, I attach a cylindrical grinding stone to my RotoZip tool, round the sharp corners slightly, and put a squared, flat edge opposite the saw teeth and on the end opposite of the lanyard hole. I leave the teeth as they are.

I have BSA Hot Sparks and Doan's mag blocks scattered around, and all have carbon steel hack saw blade strikers/scrapers. The Hot Psark attached to my EDC Leatherman gets used weekly for starting the grill, outdoor fireplace, etc., and has been a consitently strong sparker.

To address your one-pice idea, I had thought of that, too. However, knife + ferro rod = 2 pieces anyways. I just figured I might as well attach a dedicated scraper to the rod or block, and the knife can be used as a backup scraper if need be. The hack saw blade piece and the 550 cord don't weigh much, and I usually girth hitch the fire starter to the knife or knife sheath to help insure that I have one handy. The BSA Hot Spark is small enough (and cheap enough!) that aside from the one on my person, I usually have one in whatever gear I have with me. I am at work right now, in my office. There is a Hot Spark in my pocket attached to my Leatherman, and a one in my little back pack that I use to ferry lunch and stuff to work.
 
If you really want a self-contained solution, have you seen the Ultimate Survival Blastmatch?

I have two; they are not bad and can be used one handed. I prefer to use a normal steel and scraper most of the time though.

Rick.
 
When I saw the title, I assumed this thread was about scrapers used to remove bits of flesh from animal hides. Don't see that discussed around here much...
 
Shotgun said:
I want to get some good scrapers made for both my EDC and my pack flints and was wondering what kind everyone has and how they were made. Most people seem to have hack saw blades but how are they made? Do you just tape over the blade so you can also have that...just in case. Or, is there a way to score and break them? Does anyone have any unique scrapers?

Obviously a knife (or back of a knife) can be used but I'm looking at a scraper+flint combo as sort of a self contained, 1 piece item.
Click to expand...

You cut a hack saw blade with a hack saw. It's easier if you put the blade being cut into a vice.

I have seen folks who tape one end of the blade with several rounds of duct tape.
 
the possum said:
When I saw the title, I assumed this thread was about scrapers used to remove bits of flesh from animal hides. Don't see that discussed around here much...
Click to expand...
Went to The Keepers of the Sacred Pipe ( www.pipekeepers.org )last summer, and handled a stone scraper. Fit perfectly into the palm, not very large. Was told it would be knapped if it dulled. Had a bit of an ulu shape to it. Fascinating fellows, very informative. :thumbup:
 
I use a P-38 GI can opener -- the genuine ones are made of carbon steel and give off great sparks. Beware of the imports made of stainless steel --- I suppose they make decent can openers but I would imagine they spark a bit less, or require more effort, since they're stainless.
 
MG_Saldivar said:
I use a P-38 GI can opener -- the genuine ones are made of carbon steel and give off great sparks. Beware of the imports made of stainless steel --- I suppose they make decent can openers but I would imagine they spark a bit less, or require more effort, since they're stainless.
Click to expand...

I was thinking about that and may go down to REI and get the Coghlan's P38. I believe it's carbon steel.
 
I only use the back of my knife to spark my firesteel, but a hard rock or peice of glass will work, anything harder than the rod.
 
You could buy one of these for $5 and take it apart:

seresaw4large.jpg



http://www.countycomm.com/seresaw.htm
 
Sometimes the simplest solutions are just too simple for some people. I'm sure I fit in there at times, but for a scaper for a fero rod a broken off piece of old hacksaw blade can't be improved on. Just pick up an old hacksaw blade at the local flea market or garage sale, chuck it in a vice 2" from the end and beak it off. Turn it around and do the same for the other end and now you have 2 good scrapers. Throw away the left over middle section and you won't risk damaging a drill bit. No tape, no grinding, no drilling. Total cost will be from 10 to 25 cents and the scraper will probably last 100 years.
 
2dogs said:
Sometimes the simplest solutions are just too simple for some people. I'm sure I fit in there at times, but for a scaper for a fero rod a broken off piece of old hacksaw blade can't be improved on. Just pick up an old hacksaw blade at the local flea market or garage sale, chuck it in a vice 2" from the end and beak it off. Turn it around and do the same for the other end and now you have 2 good scrapers. Throw away the left over middle section and you won't risk damaging a drill bit. No tape, no grinding, no drilling. Total cost will be from 10 to 25 cents and the scraper will probably last 100 years.
Click to expand...

Exactly!!!!
 
I use the spine of my knife.....It works like a charm, I'm always a little concerned about the hotsparks damaging the temper of the steel but I don't even know if that is a legitimate concern, and I'm a worrier eithr way.
 
I clamp my hacksaw blade in a vise, bend it over, and smack it with a hammer if it hasn't already broken.

If it doesn't break clean and I want to smooth it out I just use a coarse stone and give it a couple of minutes work.

I use one of the two-part keyrings and put the hacksaw blade on one side and the firesteel on the other. Makes it simple to keep things together and take apart when needed.

B
 
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